Great Expectations: Vocabulary

Connubial

(adj) having to do with marriage

Consternation

(n) shock or great surprise; dismay

Interlocutor

(n) a person taking part in a conversation

Rimy

(adj) frosty

Prodigiously

(adv) extremely

Conciliate

(vt) win over, make friendly

Countenance

(n) facial expression; a look of approval

Vicariously

(adv) through a substitute or representative

Intimate

(vt) to hint

Commiserate

(vt) sympathize with

Imperiously

(adv) in a commanding manner

Livid

(adj) as though bruised

Vivacious

(adj) lively, spirited

Exonerate

(vt) to free from guilt or blame

Scrutiny

(n) close examination or inspection

Trenchant

(adj) keen, sharp; forceful, vigorous

Imprecate

(vt) to invoke evil or a curse upon (someone)

Beacon

(n) a lighthouse; someone or something that offers warning or guidance

Assail

(vt) to attack with vigor

Expectorate

(vi) to expel phlegm through coughing; to spit

Terse

(adj) brief and to the point; brusque, curt

Presentiment

(n) foreboding, a sense of impending misfortune

Regale

(vt) to entertain delightfully; to entertain with a feast

Congenial

(adj) agreeable or suitable in nature; compatible

Venerate

(vt) to revere, to feel or show deep respect for

Erudition

(n) learning required through books or study

Ignominious

(adj) disgraceful

reticence

(n) hesitation, or disinclination to speak

vicious

(adj) malicious

sanctify

(vt) to make holy

Sagacious

(adj) keenly perceptive, wise

Candid

(adj) honest; unbiased, fair

Ostentatiously

(adv) with showy display

Corroborate

(vt) to confirm

Felicitous

(adj) happy, appropriate, fitting

Obstinacy

(n) stubbornness

Supercilious

(adj) coolly or patronizingly haughty

Condescend

(vi) to act as though coming down from a superior position

Stipulate

(vt) to set as a condition

Scrupulous

(adj) conscientiously honest; rigorously exact

Pervade

(vt) to fill completely

Affinity

(n) close relationship; natural attraction

Mortify

(vt) to humiliate; to punish or control through self-denial

Confound

(vt) to throw into confusion

Cogitate

(vi) to think seriously and deeply (about); ponder

Peremptory

(adj) absolutely settled; admitting no discussion or refusal; final

Formidable

(adj) exciting fear, dread, or awe

Emasculate

(vt) to castrate; deprive of strength or force

Abet

(vt) to encourage, assist, or support, esp. in wrongdoing

Compunction

(n) a twinge of conscience; remorse

Beguile

(vt) to deceive; charm or divert; pass (time) pleasantly

Obsequious

(adj) overly eager to please or obey; servile; fawning

Aggrandize

(vt) to make greater or grander

Tenuous

(adj) lacking a sound basis; flimsy

Adjunct

(n) something added but not essential

Fulminate

(vi) to issue a severe threat or denunciation

Insidious

(adj) spreading harmfully in a subtle way; treacherous; beguiling but harmful

Exacerbate

(vt) to increase the severity of; to aggravate

Inverterate

(adj) habitual; firmly established by tradition or custom

Inundate

(vt) to overwhelm as with a flood

Harrow

(vt) cause mental distress; torment

Usurp

(vt) seize by force something to which one has no right

Emulation

(n) to equal; imitation of someone admired

Mettle

(n) quality of character; courage; arder

Portentous

(adj) ominous; marvelous; significant

Auspicious

(adj) promising

Harbinger

(n) herald; person or thing announcing what is to come

Dirge

(n) funeral hymn; song or poem expressing grief

Dolorous

(adj) sad; mournful; painful

Jocund

(adj) cheerful

Carouse

(vi) drink alcohol heavily; revel

Hitherto

(adv) up to this point

Besmirch

(vt) soil; bring to dishonor

Calumniate

(vt) slander

Dalliance

(n) idle flirtation; frivolous action; trifling with a matter

Behoove

(vt) be necessary for

Importune

(vt) trouble with requests; entreat persistently

Parley

(vi) confer, esp with an enemy

Adieu

(n) farewell

Peruse

(vt) read carefully; study

Vouchsafe

(vt) be kind enough to give or grant

Carrion

(n) decaying flesh of a dead body

Paragon

(n) model of excellence

Wanton

(adj) unrestrained in behavior

Buffet

(vt) strike

Choleric

(adj) easily angered

Bulwark

(n) defensive wall, fortification

Visage

(n) facial features

Apoplectic

(adj) characteristic of or pertaining to apoplexy